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When are you too old for sailing? #278132
03/28/15 11:31 PM
03/28/15 11:31 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 493
Minnesota
Jeff Peterson Offline OP
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Jeff Peterson  Offline OP
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When are you too old for sailing and should hang it up?

(Will the nursing home allow me to park the cat and trailer in the employee parking lot?)



Jeff Peterson
H-16 Sail #23721
Big Marine Lake, MN
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278133
03/29/15 02:13 AM
03/29/15 02:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
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Timbo  Offline
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Sebring, Florida.
I know I usually feel 'too old' after every regatta, when I can hardly move my arms and my back is killing me! But when I see guys like Rick White and Gordon Isco still out there going at it I am inspired to 'get over it' and press on.
You're only as old as you let yourself be. The ones who are in their 60's and 70's and still racing are an inspiration to me. Thanks for leading the way guys!


Blade F16
#777
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278137
03/29/15 08:06 AM
03/29/15 08:06 AM
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Hullflyer1 Offline
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I think the question was "when are you too old for sailing" not too old for racing. There is a difference. I am over 70 and still enjoy sailing my F18 a few times a month but have zero desire to race

Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278138
03/29/15 03:31 PM
03/29/15 03:31 PM
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Petten Netherlands
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northsea junkie Offline
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I'm in two months 69.

And because I only sail at sea, I think there will be a very distinct point when sailing is over.
That's when I start being afraid, feeling insecure at sea.

Ofcourse this point has to do with sea state and wind. With offshore wind it is always a lot less freaky then with 25 kts cross-onshore.

Strangely enough I think that my body will not play a leading role in that moment. I have already now so much defects that each time a bit more pain seems nothing.
I use heavy painkillers after each sailing and I never sail two days behind each other anymore.

But with windsurfing there is more connection between my fear and my body defects. Yesterday I surfed with strong cross-offshore wind. Far out my sail became loose and my waterstart failed a few times. There was besides that a heavy sudden fog, so i couldn't see the coast anymore.

At that moment I started to feel myself insecure, because I know I will never manage to come back on own force if I cannot cope start sailing again.

On my cat far out at sea, I feel myself definitly more safe


ronald
RAIDER-15 (homebuilt)

hey boy, what did you do over there, alone far out at sea?..
"huh....., that's the only place where I'm happy, sir.
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Hullflyer1] #278140
03/29/15 10:44 PM
03/29/15 10:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 61
Albenarle NC
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jackbr549 Offline
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Even though you don't like racking there are always chase boats and other people know your out there. Organized sail events seem safer to me than being out alone. At least there should be other boats so you can help out if someone brakes.

Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278145
03/30/15 01:11 PM
03/30/15 01:11 PM
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brucat Offline
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I know several guys who raced cats well into their 70s. And yes, I always feel safer at regattas than fun sailing in smaller numbers.

Mike

Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: brucat] #278150
03/30/15 02:03 PM
03/30/15 02:03 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,590
Naples, FL
waterbug_wpb Offline
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+1... Depending on the sailing environment, I'm not sure there is such thing as "too old to sail".

I've seen some really old folk in Flying Scots, Sunfish, and other craft bobbing around in lakes. I'm sure there are probably a few centarians on some boat, somewhere... Maybe not racing the Transpac this year...

But didn't Bob Oates sail the Sydney-Hobart this year? He was 80+ and had a special fitted chair on WOXIII right?

Perhaps you're too "old" to sail when you become a hazard to yourself and others while participating.?


Jay

Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: waterbug_wpb] #278164
03/31/15 04:06 AM
03/31/15 04:06 AM
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Petten Netherlands
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northsea junkie Offline
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Originally Posted by waterbug_wpb

Perhaps you're too "old" to sail when you become a hazard to yourself and others while participating.?


By the way, this may also be the case when you are a younster!

I think that if you are an older and experienced sailor, you have a rather good image of the circumstances you can cope with.
But when you getting older and older, you are slightly starting to doubt this confidence in your mind. Based on noticing physical discomforts and less stress resistance in your all-day life. And ofcourse because your sailing capacities change.

So, like my experience this week of having to fix far out at sea my surfsail, in big waves and a dense fog, I notice afterwards that this sticks in my mind and alters my safety confidence. I think the same will happen when I should capsize with my cat one time in very bad circumstances.


Eventually this can lead to a change in your choice of sailing circumstances. In worse case it can end your sailing passion at once. (I've seen that happen with young sailors too ,after a freaky sea adventure)

Last edited by northsea junkie; 03/31/15 07:49 AM.

ronald
RAIDER-15 (homebuilt)

hey boy, what did you do over there, alone far out at sea?..
"huh....., that's the only place where I'm happy, sir.
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: waterbug_wpb] #278236
04/02/15 11:58 PM
04/02/15 11:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 493
Minnesota
Jeff Peterson Offline OP
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Jeff Peterson  Offline OP
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Minnesota
Maybe the question I SHOULD have asked is, "When are you too old to sail a catamaran?"

The day I'm thrilled to be sailing a Sunfish, is the day I KNOW I'm too old for real sailing! The greatest danger of sailing a Sunfish, -is death by embarrassment or ridicule.



Jeff Peterson
H-16 Sail #23721
Big Marine Lake, MN
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278242
04/03/15 08:31 AM
04/03/15 08:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
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Maybe the question you should have asked is, "Who is the oldest catamaran racer still actively racing, and how old is he/she?".


Blade F16
#777
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278250
04/03/15 07:30 PM
04/03/15 07:30 PM
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Posts: 425
Toledo, Ohio (western end of ...
Mike Fahle Offline
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Jeff, I do not know how old you are but I do know you have a lot of growing up to do if you are worried about being embarrassed by ANY kind of sailing or by anyone else's opinion of whatever you are sailing. Sailing is for you, no one else. If you want to sail any kind of craft and enjoy doing so then go out with gusto and have fun and then feel sorry for any poor SOB who thinks less of you for sailing anything. Sailing is inherently good; period. To show you my age I will quote MR. T. and say I pity the fool who does not find the joy in sailing whatever they want whenever they want.

Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278251
04/03/15 07:47 PM
04/03/15 07:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,658
Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
catman Offline
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Florida Suncoast, Dunedin Caus...
Originally Posted by Jeff Peterson
Maybe the question I SHOULD have asked is, "When are you too old to sail a catamaran?"

The day I'm thrilled to be sailing a Sunfish, is the day I KNOW I'm too old for real sailing! The greatest danger of sailing a Sunfish, -is death by embarrassment or ridicule.






Sailing a Sunfish in 20 is a blast. Try jibing one when it's blowing. Helluva lot harder than a cat. Don't be disparaging the Sunfish. It's been around 62 years.


Have Fun
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278252
04/03/15 07:48 PM
04/03/15 07:48 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,224
Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Team_Cat_Fever Offline
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Roanoke Island ,N.C.
Ask Gordon Isco, he's still killing it in his 80s.


"I said, now, I said ,pay attention boy!"

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea
Isak Dinesen
If a man is to be obsessed by something.... I suppose a boat is as good as anything... perhaps a bit better than most.
E. B. White
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Mike Fahle] #278259
04/04/15 11:08 PM
04/04/15 11:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 493
Minnesota
Jeff Peterson Offline OP
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Jeff Peterson  Offline OP
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Minnesota
Mike,

I plead guilty to 2nd Degree Snark; and for throwing "chum" in the water.



Jeff Peterson
H-16 Sail #23721
Big Marine Lake, MN
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Timbo] #278260
04/05/15 09:03 AM
04/05/15 09:03 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310
South Carolina
Jake Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Jake  Offline
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South Carolina
Originally Posted by Timbo
Maybe the question you should have asked is, "Who is the oldest catamaran racer still actively racing, and how old is he/she?".


We sail regularly with a terrific guy, Warren, who enthusiastically sails an a-cat, hits the beach, and jogs to and fro. He's incredibly fit and an inspiration at 67.


Jake Kohl
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jake] #278262
04/05/15 09:26 AM
04/05/15 09:26 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355
Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
RickWhite Offline

Carpal Tunnel
RickWhite  Offline

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Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
Geesh, that is young, Jake.


Rick White
Catsailor Magazine & OnLineMarineStore.com
www.onlinemarinestore.com
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278266
04/05/15 08:42 PM
04/05/15 08:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
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Timbo  Offline
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So Rick, you must know some of the more experienced guys out there still racing, who's the oldest you know of?


Blade F16
#777
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: Jeff Peterson] #278270
04/06/15 04:47 AM
04/06/15 04:47 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 524
Petten Netherlands
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northsea junkie Offline
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Petten Netherlands
So, this topic looks like to turn out to the famous male contest: who has the largest D...

We all know that there are always exceptional guys in that contest. And we also know that this small group is not decisive for the general question.

In fact in general it has to do with a lot of luck with regard to your body and mind.
Yes, I know, training and self-discipline play a big role. And for that you have to give credit to these old fogyes.
But if you have injuries or a fading mind it overcomes you when you are getting older. There's not much you can do.

The only way you have to slow down the degradation is to hang-on and postpone the decision to quit.


ronald
RAIDER-15 (homebuilt)

hey boy, what did you do over there, alone far out at sea?..
"huh....., that's the only place where I'm happy, sir.
Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: catman] #278276
04/06/15 11:21 AM
04/06/15 11:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,590
Naples, FL
waterbug_wpb Offline
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Naples, FL
Originally Posted by catman
Don't be disparaging the Sunfish. It's been around 62 years.


I just sold one that's about that age... was my mothers (and raced actively in the late 60's all the way to the early 80's). Heck, my mother's friend (in her mid 80's) is STILL racing Sunfish. Just had a regatta at Sarasota a few weeks back?

First boat I singlehanded as a yoot. Learned how to handle varnish by maintaining those wooden foils (centerboard/rudder).

A little heavy compared to today's version (I think this one was fiberglass over plywood?) and likely won't win any national regattas, but the dude bought it to drag the kids out on the water... which is perfect for what he wanted and the price point ($950 with trailer).

I'm sure we've all seen some pretty whacked-out boats out on the water... But the smiling sailor tells the story...

Last edited by waterbug_wpb; 04/06/15 11:23 AM.

Jay

Re: When are you too old for sailing? [Re: waterbug_wpb] #278277
04/06/15 11:33 AM
04/06/15 11:33 AM
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Netherlands
DennisMe Offline
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Originally Posted by waterbug_wpb
... But the smiling sailor tells the story...


That about sums it up, doesn't it. As long as cat sailing puts a smile on your face, you're not too old!

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